Greenville, SC vs Athens, GA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Athens, GA and Greenville, SC are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Greenville works out to about $75,100 in Athens, before taxes.
- Housing is 0.1% lower in Athens, goods 0.1% lower and other services 0.4% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,776 a month in Athens and $1,566 in Greenville, $2,520 a year more in Athens (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $367,000 in Athens and $312,000 in Greenville.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Greenville and Athens
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.3 | 93.3 |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 76.8 |
| Utilities | 88.8 | 89.3 |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.7 |
| Category | Greenville | Athens | Athens vs Greenville |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.3 | 93.3 | +0.1% |
| Goods | 96.3 | 96.3 | −0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 76.8 | 76.8 | −0.1% |
| Utilities | 88.8 | 89.3 | +0.6% |
| Other services | 98.3 | 98.7 | +0.4% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,566 | $1,776 | +13.4% |
| Typical home value | $312,000 | $367,000 | +17.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Greenville | $75,000 | $75,100 | +0.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Greenville and Athens has narrowed since 2008: 2.9 points then, 0.1 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91.3 | 94.2 |
| 2009 | 91.0 | 94.3 |
| 2010 | 93.1 | 94.7 |
| 2011 | 93.3 | 94.4 |
| 2012 | 93.2 | 93.3 |
| 2013 | 93.0 | 93.4 |
| 2014 | 92.6 | 93.5 |
| 2015 | 93.4 | 92.9 |
| 2016 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| 2017 | 93.0 | 93.8 |
| 2018 | 91.7 | 90.5 |
| 2019 | 90.7 | 90.6 |
| 2020 | 90.3 | 90.2 |
| 2021 | 93.4 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 93.0 | 93.4 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 93.5 |
| 2024 | 93.3 | 93.3 |
Goods
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2009 | 94.9 | 95.1 |
| 2010 | 96.8 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.6 | 96.4 |
| 2012 | 96.3 | 96.2 |
| 2013 | 96.7 | 96.5 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 96.7 |
| 2015 | 96.0 | 95.8 |
| 2016 | 96.7 | 96.5 |
| 2017 | 96.5 | 96.3 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.4 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 96.1 | 95.8 |
| 2022 | 94.5 | 95.0 |
| 2023 | 95.9 | 96.3 |
| 2024 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 65.6 | 81.0 |
| 2009 | 69.8 | 86.8 |
| 2010 | 73.5 | 80.8 |
| 2011 | 71.2 | 76.4 |
| 2012 | 71.2 | 73.5 |
| 2013 | 69.6 | 73.6 |
| 2014 | 67.3 | 73.4 |
| 2015 | 71.8 | 70.8 |
| 2016 | 70.0 | 71.9 |
| 2017 | 70.7 | 76.0 |
| 2018 | 70.3 | 67.0 |
| 2019 | 69.4 | 69.7 |
| 2020 | 70.6 | 69.1 |
| 2021 | 73.7 | 79.5 |
| 2022 | 76.1 | 75.8 |
| 2023 | 76.9 | 77.9 |
| 2024 | 76.8 | 76.8 |
Utilities
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.6 | 90.0 |
| 2009 | 89.2 | 88.6 |
| 2010 | 91.4 | 90.6 |
| 2011 | 92.6 | 94.2 |
| 2012 | 94.9 | 93.8 |
| 2013 | 95.2 | 93.9 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 94.8 |
| 2015 | 97.6 | 93.6 |
| 2016 | 96.3 | 91.4 |
| 2017 | 93.3 | 89.9 |
| 2018 | 93.8 | 89.6 |
| 2019 | 96.4 | 91.8 |
| 2020 | 94.0 | 92.5 |
| 2021 | 91.2 | 90.7 |
| 2022 | 89.7 | 91.5 |
| 2023 | 86.4 | 87.4 |
| 2024 | 88.8 | 89.3 |
Other services
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 98.1 |
| 2009 | 97.6 | 97.6 |
| 2010 | 99.3 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 100.7 | 100.8 |
| 2012 | 100.6 | 100.8 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 100.1 | 100.1 |
| 2015 | 100.6 | 100.7 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 100.0 | 100.1 |
| 2018 | 97.9 | 97.5 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.6 |
| 2020 | 95.0 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 99.4 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 99.5 |
| 2023 | 97.9 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 98.3 | 98.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,776 in Athens vs $1,566 in Greenville
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $910 | $839 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $936 | $865 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $941 | $852 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $941 | $867 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $961 | $869 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $975 | $905 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $981 | $909 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $972 | $927 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $991 | $935 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,010 | $939 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,011 | $966 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,017 | $981 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,029 | $1,021 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,056 | $1,042 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,066 | $1,047 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,061 | $1,076 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,080 | $1,076 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,103 | $1,107 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,105 | $1,129 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,093 | $1,168 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,127 | $1,167 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,126 | $1,178 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,143 | $1,211 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,154 | $1,246 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,184 | $1,275 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,247 | $1,303 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,294 | $1,371 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,305 | $1,400 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,331 | $1,432 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,389 | $1,499 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,420 | $1,541 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,396 | $1,535 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,420 | $1,608 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,440 | $1,617 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,448 | $1,644 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,456 | $1,660 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,456 | $1,671 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,489 | $1,702 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,483 | $1,705 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,504 | $1,712 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,530 | $1,716 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,529 | $1,718 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,526 | $1,735 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,523 | $1,747 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,539 | $1,768 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,554 | $1,754 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,566 | $1,776 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $367,000 in Athens vs $312,000 in Greenville
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Greenville, SC
- Athens, GA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Greenville, SC | Athens, GA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $152K | $157K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $159K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $157K | $160K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $160K | $163K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $163K | $165K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $164K | $167K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $167K | $169K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $170K | $170K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $172K | $173K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $175K | $177K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $177K | $181K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $181K | $185K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $184K | $188K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $187K | $192K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $191K | $197K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $193K | $202K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $195K | $207K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $196K | $211K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $199K | $214K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $202K | $219K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $206K | $225K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $208K | $229K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $213K | $236K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $222K | $248K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $230K | $260K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $239K | $272K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $246K | $283K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $253K | $294K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $269K | $311K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $285K | $323K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $290K | $324K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $291K | $323K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $292K | $325K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $295K | $332K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $298K | $339K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $300K | $344K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $302K | $349K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $306K | $355K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $306K | $355K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $306K | $358K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $307K | $360K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $307K | $359K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $308K | $361K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $310K | $364K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $313K | $367K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $313K | $367K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $312K | $367K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.